278 AGRICULTI^RAL APPROPRIATION BILL, 1924. 



fertilizers, but their attention has been given heretofore to the prepa- 

 ration of food or chemical phosphates. 



Mr. Axdf:rson'. What are you doing in the matter of nitrogen 

 fixation ? 



NITROnEV FIXATION. 



Doctor Whitney. In nitrogen fixation we are working in coopera- 

 tion with the fixed nitrogen laboratory on methods for recovering 

 the ammonia gas from the gases. We have been working on that for 

 some time and it appears that we have a very successful method for 

 separating the ammonia from the mixed gases and one which I 

 thmk is likely to be of a great deal of benefit in its manufacture. That 

 has been one of the ^reat difficulties of the past. As to potash, we are 

 working on the possible methods of extracting potash from our waste 

 materials, from the iron furnaces and from the cement mills. Of 

 course, we have dropped the kelp plant, but we are working on some 

 of the mineral sources. 



Mr. Anderson. You /have a method of recovering from cement 

 plants now, have you not ? 



Doctor WinTXEY. Yes; we have the method. We have made a 

 survey of the entire industry but, unfortunately, they have run into 

 difficulties in the separation of the potash, which is due to methods of 

 manipulation. If they collect the dust too near the source of the heat 

 some of it appears to be bound up and has been reconverted so that 

 it can not be economically extracted. If, however, we allow the fumes 

 to escape and we have a dust catcher interposed between the place 

 where we collect the coarse dust and the fine dust we are finding that 

 we can get a product that is almost completely usable. So that there 

 are many things to work out and, apparently, thej' vary with different 

 localities, and with the different kmds of materials they use for ce- 

 ment. We are satisfied we have a source of potash in this country if 

 it can be produced at a low enough cost. Tne whole question is the 

 cost and tnat means the details oi manufacture. 



FOR SOIL SURVEY INVESTIGATIONS. 



Mr. Anderson. The pext item is on page 196, for the investigation 

 of soils, etc. 



Doctor Whitney. That is the soil survey. 



Mr. Anderson. In this item you have a reduction of $48,200, 

 What is the idea? 



Doctor Whitney. I am unable to answer that question, Mr. 

 Chairman. 



Mr. .Vndek.son. Maybe I can develop it. In how many States are 

 3'ou working this year? 



Doclor Whitney. We are working in cooperation with some 29 

 States. .VII these States appear to be verv enthusiastic and very i i J 

 well satisfied. * ' 



Mr. A.NDKusoN. II(.\v inimy will you hnw lo ciu out as the result 

 of this retlucfioii ? 



Doctor Whitney. Of coui-se, I have made no plans as to this, | 

 •Mr. CliiiiriUMii. It is a cut of about 2') per cent in our soil survey 

 api)rot)nation. which would mean a cut of nearly ")() j)er cent in our 

 fi«'ld force. 



' c 



